Musician Bios: Saturday, June 30

Saturday, June 30

Bill Goodwin Trio (Straight-ahead jazz) Drummer Bill Goodwin was only 17 years old when he was tapped to go on the road with saxophonist Charles Lloyd. That was the beginning of a long career that has brought him to the stage with Art Pepper, George Shearing, Gábor Szabó, Jim Hall, Bill Evans, and many more. His long stint as producer and drummer with Phil Woods led to three Grammy Awards. (RN) billgoodwindrummer.com

Butcher Brown (Funk, rock) In this band's bio, Butcher Brown refers to itself as garage punk jazz funk. And yes, those elements and underlying influences are in there. The group though doesn't play it severe but rather puts a rockin' stranglehold on contemporary jazz. (FD) butcherbrown.com

Deva Mahal (Soul) Daughter of Taj Mahal, seductive soulstress Deva Mahal sings the notes and wrings them out in a distinct, measured approach. Mahal sings at the pinnacle of emotion, with some boisterous blues power purring under the hood. (FD) devamahal.com

Eric Krasno Band (Blues rock) He was the co-founder of Soulive and Lettuce, and he's played with everyone from The Rolling Stones to The Roots, not to mention writing tunes for artists as diverse as Norah Jones, 50 Cent, and Aaron Neville. Did I mention his Grammy Awards? Let's just say Eric Krasno is one of the greatest guitarists and singers working today, and his band is as hot as it gets. (RN) erickrasno.com

Gap Mangione and the New Big Band (Big band) By the time he was 15, Rochester piano legend Gap Mangione was writing and arranging for local bands. At 80, he's still at it with his own big band. Mind the gap. (FD) gapmangione.com

Joe Beard (Blues) Rochester's own king of the blues has been slinging his big red guitar for 80 years now. And whereas some guitar players pack their playing full of drama, just watch Joe go with the understated flow. Utterly talented; utterly cool. (FD) facebook.com/joebeardblues

Mark Lewandowski Trio (Straight-ahead jazz) One of the most in-demand bassists on the London jazz scene, Mark Lewandowski has played with the top British jazz stars. His latest album explores the legacy of the great keyboard player and songwriter "Fats" Waller. With tunes like "Jitterbug Waltz" and "Ain't Misbehavin," it's a great legacy to explore. (RN) whirlwindrecordings.com/mark-lewandowski/

Matt Wilson's Honey & Salt Band (Straight-ahead jazz) Drummer Matt Wilson is known as one of the hardest working men in jazz. Aside from his work with Lee Konitz, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, and many others, Wilson leads several of his own groups, notably Arts & Crafts. Wilson's Honey & Salt Band explores the poetry of fellow Illinois native Carl Sandburg with singer and guitarist Dawn Thomson, cornetist Ron Miles, reed player Jeff Lederer, and bassist Martin Wind. (RN) mattwilsonjazz.com

Sultans of String (World music) With its seamless fusion of Spanish Flamenco, French Manouche, Arabic Folk, Gypsy Jazz, and more, the Canada-based Sultans of String are the epitome of world music. And if you want to hear and see something completely different, four strings are never enough for violinist Chris McKhool. His super fiddle has six. (RN) sultansofstring.com

Thomas Strønen (Progressive jazz) With violin, cello, bass, and piano, Norwegian drummer and composer Thomas Strønen's quintet may be unusual in the jazz world. But that instrumentation is perfectly suited to Strønen's serial approach to composition. With works that gradually build to gorgeous crescendos, Strønen is one of the most respected and influential musicians on the Scandinavian jazz scene. (RN) facebook.com/thomasstronen

Tower of Power (Funky brass) With saxophonists Emilio Castillo and Stephen "Doc" Kupka still in the ranks, Tower of Power dominates like a hurricane straight outta Oakland. And they've been at it now for half a century and are now out on a 50th anniversary tour. The band is still big, bad, and bold. (FD) facebook.com/officialtowerofpowerband

William Sperandei Quartet feat. Pat LaBarbera (Straight-ahead jazz) Trumpeter and pianist William Sperandei is a major player on the Toronto scene. When he brings his quartet to the XRIJF, it will feature tenor saxophonist Pat LaBarbera. Born in Mt. Morris to a family that produced three notable jazz players (the others: drummer Joe LaBarbera and trumpeter John LaBarbera), Pat LaBarbera joined the Buddy Rich Band when he was fresh out of Berklee College of Music. He went on to tour and record with Elvin Jones and others. (RN) www.canadianjazzarchive.org/en/musicians/william-sperandei; patlabarbera.jazzgiants.net

Friday, June 22 Alfredo Rodriguez & Pedrito Martinez (Afro-Cuban jazz) Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodriguez was headed into a career as a classical player until he heard Keith Jarrett's "The Köln Concert" and realized the possibilities of jazz improvisation.

There is a certain amount of class and caution that's required when an artist takes on standards. Not only are people hearing the interpretation, they also hear the original version dancing in their head.

By the time British slide guitarist, Jack Broadbent took the Montage Music Hall stage for his second set at last year's Jazz Fest, the buzz was on and the word was out. Armed with a Hofner archtop guitar and a whiskey flask as a slide, Broadbent played those beautiful blues to a knocked-out audience.

As a teenager in Rochester, Joe Locke was studying drums and piano when his mom saw an ad for a vibraphone in the newspaper. She bought it and launched a career that has taken Locke to the top of the jazz world.

Wednesday, June 27 HEADLINER | Alison Krauss (Bluegrass, country, pop) Alison Krauss may have emerged as a prodigious teenage Bluegrass fiddler, but it wasn't long before she became one of the greatest vocalists in country-pop history.

She was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where her grandmother gave her a name that would prove to be prescient. "Jazzmeia" flowed nicely with her last name, Horn, but what are the odds she would grow into a sensational singer and breathe new life into a field once occupied by greats like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan?

Six years ago, Lake Street Dive was touring like crazy but not getting much traction on the national stage. Then the band shot a video on a Brighton, Massachusetts, street corner and put it on YouTube.